Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:24:08 -0600
Reply-To: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: UPDATE - Re: '88 Westy Vacuum leak diagnosis input
In-Reply-To: <CANcggrJvZj-pn5mKnPGz=XmXL7g6_s4=N459PYJQOY3c=rV7Fg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Well, as is usually the case in Vanagon world, this has turned into quite
the unexpected adventure! Slowly but surely I'm getting some boxes checked
and back into the nominal zone.
Turned out (as I'd feared) the alternator went kaput.
It didn't take more than a manual turn of the spindle (and grinding bearing
sound) to figure that one out.
The next concern was the water pump, which was fine.
Seems that some hose clamps were just in need of tightening, and when I
threw the belt, the resulting pressure increase forced coolant to escape
through the path of least resistance.
Once we got things to where they were prior to the breakdown, the mechanic
tried to find the source of a potential vacuum leak using the carb cleaner
trick, which didn't yield any results.
I don't know whether it's a combination of wishful thinking and my
imagination getting the better of me, but with all the recent attention
under the deck lid, tightening of hose clamps, etc., it SEEMS as though
it's running smoother now that it's back on the road.
I'm still listening with a critical ear, but for now I'm calling things as
good as they can be.
For now . . .
Matt
'88 Westy, "Ragnar LoafBrick"
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 10:23 PM Matt Drew <t3vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
> Howdy Eric-
> Thanks for asking.
> Unfortunately, though, this has now become just one more issue on an
> expanding list....
>
> Coming home today, I lost power steering just as the alternator warning
> and OXS warning lights came on.
> That feeling of dread instantly set in. Since I was only a couple blocks
> from the house, I decided just to get it home.
> As I feared, when I got out of the van I immediately smelled coolant, and
> found a puddle forming under the engine bay.
> And you guessed it, I also found a shredded V-belt and the two other belts
> thrown.
>
> Looks like another flatbed trip is in our future tomorrow . . .
>
> -Matt
>
> On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 3:52 PM Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi matt,
>>
>>
>> I was wondering if you have any updates on your running issue.
>>
>> Hope you have found success.
>>
>> Eric Caron
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 3, 2024, at 12:12 PM, Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >
>> > 2.1L WB
>> > I'm working with my mechanic on this one, but since he doesn't have a
>> smoke
>> > machine, I'm trying to narrow down potential problem points.
>> >
>> > Noticed it was running rough a while back, initially thought it was a
>> > timing/misfire issue.
>> > New plugs, cap, rotor, ignition wires all needed to happen anyway, but
>> > didn't have an impact.
>> >
>> > A couple interesting points:
>> > - Noticing a sucking sound coming from the general area of the airflow
>> > sensor.
>> > - It runs rough every time I start up, but eventually smoothes out after
>> > idling for a few minutes.
>> > - The sucking/whistling sound seems to be related because it subsides
>> > (mostly) concurrent to the idle smoothing out.
>> >
>> > At first I thought it might be an intake hose crack, and that increased
>> > temp would cause a temporary expansion / seal, but that doesn't seem to
>> be
>> > it since it happens on every startup, even after everything is warm.
>> >
>> > Anyone else experienced this before?
>> > Any tips on where to look?
>> >
>> > *Matt*
>> > Missoula, MT
>> > '88 Westy, *Ragnar LoafBrick*
>>
>>
*Matt*
Missoula, MT
'88 Westy, *Ragnar LoafBrick*
| 
